CAPTAIN EUGENE A. CERNAN
USN (Ret.)
During 20 years as
a Naval Aviator, including 13 years with the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA), Captain Eugene A. Cernan left his mark on history with
three historic missions in space as the Pilot of Gemini IX, the Lunar Module
Pilot of Apollo X, and the Commander of Apollo XVII. After flying to the moon
not once, but twice, he also holds the distinction of being the second American
to walk in space and the last man to have left his footprints on the lunar
surface.
Captain Cernan received a Bachelor of Science
degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University in 1956 and a Master of
Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the United States Naval Post
Graduate School in 1963. His numerous honors include the Navy Distinguished
Flying Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal with Star, the NASA Distinguished
Service Medal, the FAI International Gold Medal for Space, the VFW Gold Space
Award, the Daughters of the American Revolution Medal of Honor, induction into
the U.S. Space Hall of Fame, the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame, the Texas Science
Hall of Fame, a television Emmy, Olympic Torch Bearer in May, 1996, and in 2000
was enshrined into the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the Texas Aviation
Hall of Fame. Captain Cernan was honored by the Illinois State Society as
Outstanding Illinoisian during the 54th Presidential Inauguration
in Washington, DC., and he was recipient of the national engineering award of
the year, The Washington Award 2003. Most recently in May, 2005, Captain Cernan
was awarded NASA’s first Ambassador of Exploration Award.
Captain Cernan has recently authored the book,
“THE LAST MAN ON THE MOON.”
